NFL: Waiver Wire Wonders

16 10 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Fantasy Leagues are won and lost with waiver wire pick ups. Sure the draft is of importance, but picking up a stud rb or superstar wideout that would have been worthy of an early round pick can make all the difference in the world. For example, in 2007, Derek Anderson, Ryan Grant, Earnest Graham, and Roddy White were universally picked up off the waiver wire. In 2006, Marion Barber, Selvin Young, and Marques Colston led many teams to victory. So who are the waiver wire wonders for 2008? Here are your best options for week 7 of the NFL season: Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Fantasy Football

Week 4: NFL Ramblings

29 09 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Talk about parity!  Two major upsets, even more see-saw battles, and lot’s of late game meltdowns.  Here’s your rambling rundown of week four in the NFL…

NY Jets (56) over Arizona Cardinals (35) – The New York Jets might want to make a permanant switch to their throwback New York Titans AFL jerseys. Six touchdowns for Brett Favre.  Wow!  And it wasn’t against a cracker jack defense, Arizona can bring it.  My guess is Ken Whisenhunt’s brilliant idea to stay on the road won’t be employed EVER again.  Kurt Warner lost his longtime battle with fubmlitis, coughing up the pigskin four times, three of which were recovered by the Jets.  He also threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for paydirt by Darrelle Revis.  Anquan Boldin was carted off the field after suffereing a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit in garbage time. Boldin was immobile and, initially, onlookers couldn’t help but fear the worst. Luckily, Boldin did not suffer a neck injury and should regain his senses sometime before the New Year. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Football

The Duke’s Picks – Week 4

25 09 2008

by Michael DeLuca

The Duke’s Picks is off to an amazing 14-8 start, with three consecutive winning weeks to start off this year’s slate of NFL Football Games!  I’m still stewing over Denver’s inability to polish off a potential blowout of the Saints last week, but hey…you can’t win them all.  Let’s see if we can keep the ball rolling.  Home teams are in caps, Duke’s picks are in bold.  Away we go…

NEW ORLEANS -6 San Francisco – No Colston, no Shockey….ouch.  Now let’s add in to that the suspension of starting left guard Jamar Nesbit for violation of the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. Oh, and Pro Bowl left tackle Jammal Brown’s hip has limited him in practice this week. Get the point? Take the 49ers, their relatively healthy and not half bad. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Football

3 Blind Mice With Nowhere to Run

24 09 2008

by John Ryan

With week 3 now in the books in the NFL, it is a lot easier to flesh out the so-called “haves” and “have-nots.” After 21 days we can come to the not so hard to discern conclusion that Detroit, St. Louis, and Kansas City are the three worst teams in the NFL. Each is bad for different reasons, but all seem to hold a few common similarities. In my humble order, I say Kansas City has the best chance at getting good again the soonest, followed by Detroit, and St. Louis brings up the rear. First, let’s go from worst to first in this unceremonious pecking order to flesh out problems and solutions for these teams. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chiefs, Football, Lions, Rams

NFL Power Rankings

23 09 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Yet another exciting week of NFL football has come and gone.  Some major upsets, close calls, and key injuries have really shaken up our rankings.  Let’s have a look at the rankings as they stand heading into week four of NFL action…

1.  Dallas Cowboys (3-0) – Their dominating performance in Cleveland in week 1 was followed up by a week 2 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.  In week three they traveled to Green Bay, where they had never won a game, and took it to the Packers for an impressive victory.  Rookie Felix Jones has proven to be a dynamic playmaker.  Marion “The Barbarian” is an absolute beast.

2.  New York Giants (3-0) - Defending Super Bowl Champions haven’t seemed to miss a beat on defense despite the losses of Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to a season ending injury.  They coasted to wins in their first two games, but were just barely able to get past the lowly Cincinnati Bengals in week 3, winning by a field goal in overtime. 

3.  Denver Broncos (3-0) – The offense is explosive, while the defense is atrocious.  Brandon Marshall may have taken over as the premier wide receiver in the NFL.  Jay Cutler continues to show poise in the pocket, a rocket arm, and deadly accuracy.

4.  Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) - Despite injuries to Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, the Eagles held on for a hard fought victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Jim Johnson’s defense did what they do best, blitz.  In week 2, Philadelphia hung through 4 quarters of football with the best team in the NFL…in their own building.  May be a different story when  these teams meet in Philly. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Cowboys, Football

NFL Week 2 – The Duke’s Picks

12 09 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Got off to a good start last week with a 4-3 record against the spread, let’s keep the ball rolling in week 2.  Home teams are in caps, The Duke’s Picks are in bold.

JACKSONVILLE -6 Buffalo – So Vegas is begging us to take Buffalo after their impressive thrashing of a receiverless Seahawks squad and the Jaguars dissapointing defeat to the Titans.  Why, you might ask, am I falling into the trap then?  Jacksonville is down ALL THREE interior offensive linemen!  It never ceases to amaze me how the betting lines are never affected by such injuries.  If Garrard were have to gone down, this would be a pick em.  I told you last week that Indy would suffer with two starting linemen out, expect the same for the Jags with three. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Football

Avoid At All Costs – 2008 Fantasy Football Busts

1 08 2008

Every year there’s a number of players that frustrate fantasy owners to no end.  Here’ a list of some of the potential duds for the 2008 season…

1.  Wes Welker – Welker is certain to take a step back from his 112 receptions and 1,175 yards from the Patriot’s 2007 undefeated regular season.  After teams locked down New England’s passing attack in the postseason, the Patriots will make more of a dedicated effort to establish the running game this year.  In addition, the loss of Donte Stallworth should add extra pressure on Welker and he’ll be less likely to roam free in open space. 

2.  Julius Jones - Jones signed as a free agent with Seattle this off-season.  So did goal-line vulture TJ Duckett.  Mike Holmgrem has been raving about the off-season performance of Maurice Morris and has already hinted at a timeshare at the halfback position.

3.  Lendale White - Lendale White had a fairly productive season in 2007, rushing for 1,110 yards and 7 scores.  His yard per carry average was only 3.7 and White did seem to wear down as the season progressed.  The Titans, already loaded at the RB position, selected Chris Johnson with the #24 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft.  There’s already talk he could be the feature back by the start of the regular season.

4.  Willie Parker - As if scoring just two touchdowns in 2007 wasn’t enough, the Steelers jettisoned Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca this off-season.  If you’re wonder what type of impact that may have on the Steelers running game, take a look at Shaun Alexander’s stats following Steve Hutchinson’s departure from Seattle.  Furthermore, Parker is coming off a broken leg and the Steelers.  Pittsburgh drafted RB Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of the draft this year and in addition to stealing a significant number of carries, Mendenhall may even get the goal line calls.

5.  Torry Holt – He’s getting old.  The offensive line stinks.  Isaac Bruce is no longer on the other side.  Sure he hasn’t had less than 81 catches and 1,100 yards since his rookie season, but Holt might not be 100 percent after having knee pain throughout most of the 2007 season and new offensive coordinator Al Saunders will certainly put more of a focus on the running game.


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Categories : Fantasy Football

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